Festive Fun at Newcastle #TheTyneIsNow

Despite being a northern girl and claiming to have visited a large proportion of the UK, one place I haven't yet visited is Newcastle and Gateshead. Newcastle (sometimes known as Newcastle Upon Tyne) is a city in North East England, approximately 103 miles south of Edinburgh and is known for it's art, literature and music.The city is renowned for it's bustling atmosphere, fantastic nightlife and in recent years being home to the hit reality TV show, Geordie Shore.

When you think of Christmas in a UK city, many of us automatically think of London, Manchester or Edinburgh, but this year Newcastle is championing the Christmas spirit and December is set to a be one fun filled month for anyone looking to visit.

Fenwick pop-up store at intu Metrocentre

intu Metrocentre, Gateshead

17 October 2015 - January 2016

More info:

http://www.intumetrocentre.co.uk / http://www.fenwick.co.uk/stores/newcastle

If you're just starting your Christmas shopping, a break in Newcastle may just what Santa orders. Shoppers will be spoilt for choice with festive markets galore and two of the UK's best shopping centres, alongside a selection of independent stores and artists selling a range of unique gifts.

Christmas in Newcastle wouldn't be complete without a visit to the main Fenwick store on Northumberland street. Each year the iconic department store unveils a beautiful Christmas themed window, with moving characters, a bespoke soundtrack and twinkling lights. This year the store has also created an incredible Christmas Wonderland Department, packed with all the gifts and decorations needed to make the 25th of December truly magical. Fenwick, which has been Newcastle's retail flagship for more than 130 years, for the first time has crossed the river to intu Metrocentre, Gateshead - with it's Christmas Wonderland. Until January 2016, it will bring shoppers everything from decorations, cards and wrapping paper to trees, food and drink plus an exciting array of Christmas gift ideas. This is the first time the store - which is famous for the Christmas window at it's Northumberland Street site - has opened a festive pop up in the region. 

Newcastle Christmas Intercontinental Market

14 - 29 November 2015

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/business/newcastle-markets/christmas-markets-newcastle

If you prefer artisan Christmas stalls and the sweet scent of mulled cider, then you should pay a visit to the Newcastle Christmas markets. The Newcastle Christmas Intercontinental Market runs from 14 - 29 November 2015 showcasing some of the best Christmas produce such as delicious marzipan stollen, Dutch cheeses and Belgian chocolate and gifts from Germany, France, Belgium, Holland and Spain. The Newcastle Christmas market will be running from 2 - 6 December and here you will be able to soak up the festive atmosphere while browsing stalls selling everything from alpaca hats and gloves to Christmas cakes, locally brewed beers, mirrors, pottery and gorgeous handmade jewellery. The Newcastle Christmas Market incorporates the Farmers Market on Saturday 5 December so shoppers can pick up delicious produce just in time for Christmas from local producers. Santa will make a special appearance at the market and local choirs will add to the Christmas cheer.

NYE Winter Carnival and Midnight Fireworks
Central Newcastle
31 December 2015
www.NewcastleGateshead.com/winterfestival
Approximate timings for the New Year's Eve Winter Carnival Parade:
From 5pm: Music and carnival performance in the streets around Monument
From 5.15pm: Parade leaves for Newcastle Civic Centre via Northumberland Street
From 6pm: Fireworks finale at Newcastle Civic Centre

New Year's Eve always signals a time to celebrate and this year Newcastle will be presenting one of the biggest events across the UK with the New Year's Eve Winter Carnival. For those that live further up north, it's a great way for everyone to celebrate on a big scale, without the expensive train ticket.   The theme for this year's carnival is 'Dark Streets and Wild Beasts'. 

Newcastle is looking to be a big contender for my December celebrations next year with it's large Christmas markets and overall festive fun. If you still don't have any Xmas or New Year plans, Newcastle is looking like the place to be this year so check it out.

Start planning your trip and check out the NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival.

Have you made plans for this Christmas yet?